'I'm starting to feel like the mayor in the Jaws movie': Mayor of town plagued by shark attacks calls for a cull as it's revealed a TOOTH was found in the latest victim's leg

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The mayor of a town hit by four shark attacks since September is considering a cull as a bodyboarder fights for his life after the latest tragedy.

Mathew Lee, 32, sustained 'significant' injuries to his lower legs in the shark attack at Lighthouse Beach in Ballina, on the NSW's north coast, with doctors reportedly finding a tooth embedded in his wounds. 

Ballina Shire Council Mayor David Wright told The Australian he was 'starting to feel like the mayor in the Jaws movie'. 

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Mathew Lee (pictured with his girlfriend Suzy Gerada), 32, sustained 'significant' injuries to his lower legs in the shark attack at Lighthouse Beach in Ballina

A great white shark was filmed in shallow water just metres from the shore after Thursday's attack in Ballina on NSW's north coast

Surf Life Savers are now combing the water on inflatable boats and jet-skis in a bid to find the animal

Surf Life Savers have been trawling the waters near the beach in a bid to find the animal, with help from a Westpac rescue helicopter, after a great white shark was spotted near where the attack occurred.

Cr Wright said a junior surf competition scheduled just north of the beach where Mr Lee was attacked would go ahead if no shark was sighted.

He said helicopter and water searchers would continue to monitor the waters during the six-day competition, which starts on Friday. 

Mr Lee remains in an induced coma at Gold Coast University Hospital, 9News reported.

It has been reported a tooth was found in Mr Lee's leg following the vicious attack on Thursday

Mr Lee, pictured with his partner Suzy Gerada, was dragged from the sea by two of his friends following the attack

Mr Lee sustained 'significant' injuries to his lower legs in the attack at Lighthouse Beach in Ballina

It is believed a tooth was found in his leg and surgeons are making sure his wounds do not become infected. 

Doctors carried out a blood transfusion on Mr Lee on Thursday night as his girlfriend and mother remained by his bedside. 

Mr Lee had been bodyboarding on Thursday with two brave friends who helped him to shore and performed CPR.

They are reported to have tied the leg ropes of their boards to his injured limbs in an attempt to stop Mr Lee from losing too much blood, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Emergency services were called to the scene where they worked to save Mr Lee for some time on the back of a ute.

Mr Lee was transported to Gold Coast University Hospital and had a blood transfusion on Thursday night

A Westpac rescue helicopter is also assisting in the search after a great white shark was spotted

A Westpac helicopter is pictured arriving at Lighthouse Beach in Ballina after Mr Lee was attacked by a shark on Thursday

'The rescue helicopter winched a medical team onto the beach and shortly after transported the patient to the Gold Coast University Hospital,' a statement from the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter team said on Thursday following the incident.

'The rescue helicopter service has now been re-tasked to assist in the search for the shark.' 

Well wishes have flooded in with friends of Mr Lee keeping him in their thoughts as he remains in a critical condition.

'Sending our love and prayers to you both Suz. Lee Lee is surrounded by a community of love, strength and support,' one said. 

'Stay strong Suzy and we will keep praying for a full recovery. Thinking of you both,' another post read. 

Paramedics were pictured treating Mr Lee on the back of a ute as a Westpac helicopter waited to transport him to hospital on Thursday

A white sheet was held up as Mr Lee was laid in the back of a ute so paramedics could work on him on Thursday

The rescue helicopter winched a medical team onto the beach following the attack and transported Mr Lee to the Gold Coast University Hospital

Searchers are taking to the skies on Friday morning to search for the shark that attacked Mr Lee  

Andrew Bremner - Mr Lee and his partner Suzy Gerada's neighbour - said the 32-year-old went surfing most mornings.

'Sometimes he takes his dog with him and then he would come back with a few mates at lunch time and they would just chill,' Mr Bremner said.

A nearby surfer who witnessed the dramatic scene unfold, told the ABC he could see 'a lot of blood on the blanket that was wrapped around his leg'. 

Emergency services were called to the scene by two friends he was body boarding with just before 10am on Thursday morning

The beach remains closed on Friday while a junior surfing competition goes ahead just north of Lighthouse Beach

The attack occurred at Lighthouse Beach in Ballina on the northern coast of NSW

Ballina Mayor David Wright said the junior surfing competition at Lennox Head would go ahead on Friday if no shark was spotted 

Helicopters later on Thursday spotted what appeared to be a great white shark in the water near where the attack occurred, but a Surf Life Saving NSW spokesperson could not confirm what type of shark had attacked Mr Lee.

The Department of Primary Industries have permitted searchers to kill the shark responsible for the attack if it is found.   

The last serious shark attack to occur at Lighthouse Beach was in 2008 when Peter Edmonds, 16, died after being attacked in the water. 

Earlier this year, Tadashi Nakahara, 41, lost his legs to a great white shark while surfing at nearby Shelly Beach.